While some people are unabashedly yelling about how Millennials have officially ruined brunch, we say it’s doing just fine over in Houston. Want some proof? Keep reading, friend. Each brunch we’ve selected is plenty boozy, but the real kicker is every one has an unquestionably good menu and atmosphere. Brunch is far from ruined.

HUGO’S & CARACOL & XOCHI

On Sundays, Hugo Ortega’s trifecta of heavy-hitters offers up insanely good interior Mexican (Hugo’s), coastal Mexican (Caracol) and Oaxacan (Xochi) brunch buffets that are worth every single one of the 3,000+ pennies you spent on it. Sure, you could go Saturday and order a la carte, but then you couldn’t refill your plate with all the ceviches, chilaquiles, rellenos, tamales, crudos, camarones, carnitas, tres leches, and churros that you possibly can before your pants spontaneously combust.

MAX’S WINE DIVE

It’s hard to say no to the question “Want some fried chicken and Champagne?” Thankfully, MWD has two locations at which you can say yes. If you’re all about chicken, get it in a honey-butter Benedict, atop jalapeño buttermilk waffles, or in a salad with applewood-smoked bacon and Champagne dressing. Max’s also makes what may be the best fried egg sandwich in town: a colossal creation of three fried eggs, bacon, a blend of Parmesan, Gruyère, provolone, and white Cheddar cheeses, lettuce, tomato, and black truffle aioli on buttery griddled sourdough bread. Get it with a side of chicken thigh.

BACKSTREET CAFE

An advance reservation is an advisable (if not required) move for this bistro and garden. The offerings include morning items like killer migas and brioche French toast, plus more lunch appropriate things like wood-grilled local shrimp & grits and short rib risotto. Go for a dish off the seasonal menu, a pan of fresh-baked buttermilk biscuits to share, and a couple of expertly crafted cocktails to “cure” your hangover.

WEIGHTS + MEASURES

Excellent locally roasted coffee & espresso + full bar + in-house bake lab = the best brunch of your life. Bring your late-morning A game to this cool-kids spot, lest you want to be in the back of someone’s Snapchat looking like Gollum while you smash things like house-smoked salmon & truffled eggs, fried chicken & cake donuts, and cracked egg pizza.

HOLLEY’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR

If you don’t order seafood at brunch, you’re doing it wrong. If you do, you now have one more reason to wipe last night’s pizza off your chin and get your life together by 2pm. East Coast and local Gulf oysters on the half shell; sorghum-glazed shrimp & pickled serrano-boursin grits; and non-seafood items like roasted pork debris eggs Benedict are all part of the mid-morning to late-afternoon fun. (So are smoked Bloody Marys, by the way.)

BRENNAN’S

There are times when brunch calls for cheap Champagne and literally anything that includes bacon, and then there are times when brunch calls for a ballin’ three-course feast that makes you feel like you own an oil company. That’s where this jazzy (no, for real, there’s a jazz band) NOLA classic comes in. But you don’t have to own an actual oil company to afford it. Seasonal riffs on creole dishes commingle with Southern staples like eggs Brennan, shrimp & grits, and whiskey-lacquered quail, all of which you’ll want to pair with Marys, punches, and fizzes. If you have a few extra monies to get rid of, add on the crazy seafood tower; then invite us next time.

BEAVER’S

When you need something completely gluttonous to rock you out of last night’s poor life choices, this super-cool icehouse is where you go. The Squealin’ Mary — made with bacon-infused vodka, a bacon sugar-salt rim, and candied bacon accoutrement — is a damn good place to start. So do that, then get into the seriously excellent mix of brunchy and non-brunchy eats, like the house chorizo & cheddar-stuffed poppers, BBQ brisket breakfast burritos, seafood mac, duck pastrami Reubens, and a bunch of other equally enticing stuff.

DOWN HOUSE

This cozy neighborhood spot is the kind of place where you can bring your girlfriend or your grandma… that is, if your grandma likes crushing Bloody Marys with beer and burgers with duck eggs & kimchi. OK, maybe just bring your girlfriend here.

STATE OF GRACE

When you can order a brunch based entirely off starters, you can consider the place a win. Ford Fry’s globally and coastally inspired modern lodge is just that. Assuming you have friends, bring some so you can split warm sticky buns, country ham deviled eggs, and grilled Gulf oysters. The main event runs the gamut, from huevos divorciados to a gorgeous Dutch baby pancake baked in the hearth. Some “rodeo” milk punch and an expertly prepared house Bloody Mary ensure you finish the meal out like the rock star you are.

BRASSERIE 19

The best part about this trendy River Oaks date spot — besides the excellent French press coffee, badass Champagne selection, and stellar fare — is that you can feel like you’re brunching in Paris without having to deal with actual French people. The worst part is deciding between the crêpes and the filet mignon au poivre. Either is great with Champagne, so… get both?

KITCHEN 713

It’s all about Southern comfort at this soul food kitchen… with a global smooch, of course. After shuttering its East End location, Kitchen 713 moved into a bigger and better space, and got a liquor license. Hit Saturday and Sunday brunch for house-cured salmon hoe cakes kissed with za’atar, Thai jewel omelets, and fried chicken & biscuits with a side of eye-opening beverages, like the charred grapefruit paloma or a fig and bacon-infused bourbon number.

ELOISE NICHOLS GRILL & LIQUORS

If you want a cozy brunch where you can enjoy a conversation and coffee, put this Adair family neophyte on your radar. It sits right between two shopping meccas, Highland Village and River Oaks District, making it perfect for a mid-afternoon break. Get smothered biscuits & gravy, smoked salmon and avocado toast, or “brunch up” a burger with bacon, eggs, and Hollandaise. Then tack on mimosas by the pitcher or hit the fully-loaded bloody mary cart.

FIELD & TIDES

F.E.E.D. TX and Liberty Kitchen alum Travis Lenig debuted his own concept to great fanfare. Start with a Corpse Reviver or mimosa tasting flight while you dig into seasonal, locally sourced meals that are as fresh as they are downright satisfying. We’re talking sloppy sandwiches, burgers with belly bacon, buttermilk biscuit stacks, and pimento cheese fritters. Oh yeah, we said fresh… there’s stuff like local greens and roasted beets, too.

SNOOZE, AN A.M. EATERY

With one location in Montrose and a few more planned, this Denver-born chain is taking Houston by storm. Despite being open since the summer of 2016, the Montrose location has an out-the-door line week-after-week — but at least there’s free Boomtown coffee while you wait. Locals flock for cheap pancake flights and hollandaise-coated everything, from eggs Benny to corned beef hash. Drinks are equally as enticing, with morning concoctions like the Bangkok bloody mary (with Sriracha and fish sauce) and the Snoozed Fashioned (a coffee and whiskey mix). The best part? You can unofficially “brunch” seven days a week.

Brennan’s of Houston Named One of the 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America; Wins 2016 OpenTable Award

Egg St. Charles

Brennan’s of Houston is pleased to announce that we’ve been named one of the 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America for 2016 by OpenTable Diners. Determined by more than 5 million reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners over the last year, the 2016 Best Brunch list honorees each bested more than 20,000 restaurants.

Wedding planning can certainly be stressful and a simple way to reduce stress is to use one of Houston’s finest restaurants as your venue. Hosting a wedding at a restaurant is great option as a restaurant can handle the ceremony and reception, providing food, tables, and chairs — all under one roof.

To help you find the right spot for the big day, we’ve rounded up the ideal restaurants for hosting the perfect wedding.

As one of the city’s most historic restaurants, Brennan’s of Houston provides a lovely setting for a wedding ceremony and reception in the 1930s building designed by John Staub. Surrounded by oak trees, palms and ivy, the red brick courtyard would be ideal for a spring wedding and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

The ballroom — great for a reception as it can seat up to 150 guests — provides a sense of Southern luxury with chandeliers and vaulted ceilings. Brennan’s modern take on Louisiana cuisine is sure to please everyone and the restaurant offers dozens of hors d’oeurve and seated dinner options, including crab cakes and their signature banana’s foster.

As a long-time favorite of the city’s elite, Tony’s offers a luxurious, contemporary setting for a beautiful wedding ceremony. The restaurant offers plenty of venue options depending on the size of the guest list. The airy main dining room, walls replete with master artworks, seats as many 300 guests while the San Remo room can seat up to 100 and the Wine Cellar provides the perfect intimate setting for up to 60 people.

Known for their exquisite updated Italian cuisine — including favorites like the flaming red snapper or raviolo di manzo filled with braised short ribs — a seated reception at Tony’s would impress anyone lucky enough to be invited.

The Grand Ballroom — also known as La Grand Salon — at the boutique hotel La Colombe d’Or has long been considered to be one of the city’s premier wedding venues. Lined with 300-year-old panels from the country chateau of La Comtesse Greffulhe, as well as resplendent chandeliers, the Grand Ballroom evokes a sense of a bygone era of European royalty and splendor. The venue can accommodate hundreds of guests and is large enough to host both the ceremony and reception.

Cinq, the restaurant at La Colombe d’Or, is known for its updated take on classic French cuisine with dishes like lobster bisque with crispy crawfish tails and cedar smoked duck. An added benefit to using the hotel as a wedding venue is that the most important guests can stay on site in one of the five art-filled suites.

There are few destinations in Houston that can provide as romantic a setting for a ceremony as Rainbow Lodge, with its beautiful log structure overlooking an acre of bucolic grounds and a bubbling creek. The entire restaurant, while not large, is big enough to accommodate a more intimate wedding (around 100 people) for an outdoor ceremony and a seated reception inside.

Rainbow Lodge is known for its Southern-inspired cuisine, with hors d’oeurve options like fried Texas quail bites with bourbon gravy and entree choices such as rainbow trout with lump crab and pecan brown butter.

This long-time River Oaks restaurant with a distinctly upscale Southern feel features a lovely garden, called The Bear’s Nest, that can accommodate a cozy outdoor wedding.

In terms of spaces for the reception, Ouisie’s main dining room can seat up to 135 seated guests, and Lucy’s Porch, which faces the garden, can accommodate up to 95.

The restaurant’s fine dining take on down-home cooking includes passed hors d’oeurves like chicken fried steak on a biscuit to shrimp quesadillas and seated entrees such as crispy red snapper and grilled buffalo tenderloin.

A picturesque gazebo in the large, grassy field overlooking Buffalo Bayou provides the perfect pastoral setting for an outdoor wedding ceremony.

For the reception, The Loft Room at Brenner’s accommodates up to 54 seated guests and includes a fireplace and private balcony. For a spring wedding, the Blue Bar — an outdoor lounge with a verdant view of the bayou — accommodates 100 seated guests or 120 for a cocktail reception.

The steakhouse menu includes dozens of passed hors d’oeurves like mini jumbo lump crab cakes and bacon-wrapped quail breasts, as well as entrees like their famous filet mignon and Gulf red snapper.

Since restaurants are where people traditionally go to celebrate a special occasion or milestone, it makes sense to commemorate your wedding at one too. With Houston’s reputation as a foodie’s paradise, a reception at a restaurant, cafe or bistro is the tastiest way to customize your big day. Here’s why you should consider one.

You dislike traditional wedding food. If serving shrimp cocktail and prime rib at your local banquet hall doesn’t get you excited, but fare like crab samosas and almond chicken masala (from Indika Restaurant) or arugula and fig salad and fried Gulf Coast oysters (from Ousie’s Table) make you do a happy dance, a wedding reception at an eatery may be a better fit for you.

Doing the research will be fun. Once you’ve come up with a list of restaurant possibilities, make a reservation for two and check out each place, paying careful attention to the menu, of course, but also the atmosphere, décor and whether or not there’s room for a ceremony if you’re planning to wed there too.

The service will be top notch. A successful restaurant makes its name and reputation not only for its outstanding food but also its outstanding service. “Restaurants are inherently better at service because it’s what we do every day,” says Paula Foreman, director of sales atSambuca, a restaurant located in the historic Rice Hotel. “We’re not a venue that only does a wedding a week — we do lunch and dinner seven days a week, so we’re good at it.” What people will remember about a wedding five years from now, she says, is not the linens or the flowers but how long it took to get a drink and was the food served on time.

The fee includes pretty much everything. Most restaurants charge a per-person fee that covers the food, drinks, tableware, glassware, linens and staff. Some may even throw in extras like votive candles or a wedding cake whipped up by their resident baker. The only other major reception expenses you’ll likely have are the centerpieces and music.

Restaurants don’t charge a venue fee. But many other types of spaces, such as gardens and museums, do — it’s not atypical to be charged $2,500 for three hours’ use on a Saturday night and double that for six hours. “We do not charge a venue fee,” confirms Linda Pham, a party planner at Brennan’s of Houston, which handles up to 130 receptions annually. “It’s a big savings since the couple only needs to spend a food and beverage minimum.”

Some have private dining rooms perfect for an intimate wedding. While taking over an entire restaurant on a Saturday night won’t come cheap (you’ll be charged for lost revenue since the place will be closed to other customers), if you have a modest budget and a small guest list, look for dining spots that have private rooms; that way, the main restaurant can still stay open during your reception, which will bring your price down. Prego, for example, has a wine room for 14 guests and a private dining room for up to 40, in addition to a main room for 120.

You won’t need to decorate. When you book a reception in an empty space or nondescript ballroom, you’ll have to rent everything from drapes to lighting to make the room look attractive. A restaurant, on the other hand, is already decorated so you’ll save a gazillion dollars on rental fees. At the Rainbow Lodge, for example, the various private rooms have log cabin walls, mounted deer heads and original artwork by Texas painters.

Some have off-hour deals that can save you big bucks. Rates for a midweek evening reception or weekend lunch may be a super bargain. For example, at Sambuca, which is closed to the general public for Saturday lunch, the $65 per person midday package includes beer, wine, champagne, a DJ and photographer!

It’s easier to book on short notice. Like ballrooms, banquet halls and country clubs, some restaurants may be reserved a year or more in advance, but they’re also the place to turn to when time is short. Says Pham, “Brennan’s takes last-minute bookings — I have booked a wedding that was just two weeks away!”

Caesar salad might be the most popular restaurant salad in the country. And while there’s a traditional Caesar profile familiar to most diners, there’s also a wild side to the romaine/parmesan/anchovy mash-up.

Both were celebrated at the annual Caesar Salad Competition held Oct. 9 at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College where 25 area restaurants competed in classic and creative Caesar categories.

El Meson Restaurant, 2425 University, was named best classic Caesar by a panel of food judges, while most creative Caesar (a Creole inspired salad) went To Brennan’s Houston, 3300 Smith. Brennan’s also took the people’s choice award, while best Caesar presentation went to the San Luis Resort, Galveston.

Proceeds from the event went to the Food & Beverage Managers Association’s educational endowments.

Fluff Bake Bar is more of a bakery than a restaurant but it’s a must-visit Midtown establishment. There’s a small but surprisingly astute wine program and the staff can help guide guests to good choices for pairing with desserts. Even people who don’t have a sweet tooth should still drop by for the outstanding charcuterie platter. A recent example included spicy ‘nduja (a luscious, spreadable sausage), chunky goat mortadella studded through with pistachios,loukaniki, a cured Greek sausage and several cheeses from the Houston Dairymaids, including Casatica di Bufala (soft cheese made of Italian water buffalo milk), Chiriboga Blue and Cabot cloth-wrapped cheddar.

Hopefully you do have a sweet tooth, though, because it would just be a shame to not be in the mood for pastry chef Rebecca Masson’s chocolatey Veruca Salt cake (named “Best Cake” for Best of Houston 2015), oaty Hobnobs or her insane(ly delicious) Couch Potato cookies with potato chips, chocolate chips, pretzel bits and corn flakes all held together with marshmallow.

Honorable Mention: Spec’s Deli, 2410 Smith

The Spec’s deli counter has been getting Houston workers back to their offices on time with thick, hearty sandwiches like this muffaletta for years.

Spec’s deli counter has been a boon to harried workers for years and its big sandwiches, piled high with meats, cheeses and veggies, are good values, too. The Lucky Lucy ($7.50) is like a Reuben but with both pastrami and corned beef—in other words, a sandwich that has achieved its higher purpose. For vegetarians, there’s The Rabbit ($6.99) with grilled eggplant, squash, zucchini, roasted red peppers, sprouts, feta and pesto on toasted focccia. They’re known for their burgers, too, such as the Smoke & Pepper burger with cheddar cheese, pepper bacon and bacon aioli with lettuce, tomato and red onion. For a sweet snack afterward, don’t fail to check out the huge aisle of fancy chocolate bars. Bonus: you can restock your booze cabinet while grabbing lunch and that’s a perk that you’ll never get at Subway or Which Wich.

Pho Tai Nam Gau from no-frills Pho Saigon on Milam. The pho is really good and service is fast.

Photo by Phaedra Cook

Which of these popular casual Vietnamese spots to select depends on what’s desired. People who don’t have a lot of time on their lunch hour should head to no-frills Pho Saigon. On rainy or cold days, Houstonians queue up for a own comforting bowl full of broth, thin rice noodles and beef spiked to taste with hoisin and Sriracha. The people who run it are total pros at getting people seated and served quickly. The pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), cha gio (Vietnamese-style eggrolls) and cafe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) are all just great. Service can be brusk but they’ll get you back to the office quickly.

Thien An Sandwiches used to be in a small, modest strip center location but relocated several months ago to a bigger, stand-alone building with an ample parking lot. The name alludes to the great banh mi, but it also dishes out good bowls of pho. It’s a nicer setting than Pho Saigon, but service can be slow.

9. The Breakfast Klub, 3711 Travis

The “Katfish” & Grits at The Breakfast Klub

Going to The Breakfast Klub can be a communal experience. It’s far more than just getting some grub. There’s often a line on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but so what? Staff members walk up and down the lines greeting guests and handing out menus and there’s nothing wrong with striking up a conversation with a fellow Houstonian. Once inside, order at the register, grab a cup of above-average coffee and hunker down over a soul-satisfying plate of either spicy chicken wings and a giant, Belgian waffle or the acclaimed catfish and grits. They serve lunch, too, so don’t hesitate to explore the other menu options. These are just the famous ones.

8. Artisans, 3201 Louisiana

Artisans is ideal for business lunches during the day and dates at night.

Photo by Troy Fields

Artisans, the classy French restaurant endeavor by chefs Jacques Fox and David Denis, as well as sommelier Sylvain Denis, is a perfect place for a business lunch during the day. At night, it’s equally suited as a romantic date spot. The interior is fun and impressive, with a vast open kitchen and counter seating that allows diners to watch all of the work that goes into the artfully plated meals. Spend a little with the three-course business meals for $29 or a lot by splurging on Petrossian caviar with blinis and Champagne for $120. The six-course tasting menu with wine pairings is actually a good value at $139 for a decadent, celebratory meal.

7. Damian’s Cucina Italiana, 3011 Smith

Photo by Jack Thompson

6. Jinya Ramen, 3201 Louisiana

The Tonkotsu Black at JINYA Ramen in Midtown

JINYA Ramen, which started making waves in the Houston area with its outstanding, complex ramen with a location in Webster, is one of the restaurants that filled in a big deficit in places to eat late at night in Midtown. There are many kinds of ramen available here: tonkotsu, miso, chicken and even a vegetarian option, but the fried dumplings and rice bowls with various meaty toppings are also delightful. The craft beer and sake lists are small but it’s not hard to find a good pairing.

4. Ibiza, 2450 Louisiana #300

Ibiza is an outstanding yet understated Spanish restaurant that does a wonderful job using excellent ingredients and uncomplicated preparations like the Simply Grilled Fish.

Photo by Chuck Cook Photography

Ibiza is the restaurant that put chef Charles Clark in the national spotlight and set him along the restaurateur path along with business partner Grant Cooper. (The duo also own Coppa Osteria, SaltAir, Punk’s Simple Southern Cusine and other endeavors with corporate executive chef Brandi Key having a big role in the direction of the cuisine these days.) Ibiza has a nice patio and when the weather’s good, inspired cuisine like La Plancha Style Octopus with Chorizo and Piquillo Peppers stuff with pulled pork and topped with Alabama white barbecue sauce tastes mighty fine indeed. People with hearty appetites will meet their match in the Braised Pork Osso Buco with Bleu Cheese and Bacon Mashed Potatoes.

4. Weights + Measures, 2808 Caroline

The Carrot Pizza at Weights + Measures has been an overwhelming favorite among guests (and critics).

Weights + Measures is an ambitious project that serves diners from early in the morning until late in the evening. In the mornings, it’s a great stop for doughnuts and pastries from the in-house Slow Dough Bake Shop and people who aren’t rushing to work can have a sit-down breakfast inside the restaurant proper. Next is casual lunch service with burger and sandwich options as the afternoon fades into happy hour. As night falls, it’s time for dinner and this is where Weights + Measures really pulls the stops out. Dive into a four-course meal here starting with something as simple as chicken liver and toast or as elaborate as wood grilled mortadella with a balsamic reduction, pistachio crunch and a fried egg. The Lacquered Duck Breast is a customer favorite, as are the piping hot “Doughknots” with cardamom and honey. It’s also become a reliable stop for late-night cocktails.

3. Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 3201 Louisiana

If this friendly man offers you a big tray of oysters, you say yes.

Photo by Phaedra Cook

Chef Mark Holley spent a long time working for the Brennan family so it shouldn’t be surprising that his fare has a New Orleans vibe. That’s not his only inspiration, though. Holley’s has been an opportunity for him to branch out and reach for inspiration ranging from the low country to Asian cuisine. The LH Gumbo may very well be the best in Houston and yet warming, spicy Koonce’s Peanut Soup could give it a run for the money. For dinner, the Blackened Grouper with Carolina Gold rice, creamer peas, Kimchi-seasoned greens and ham hock pot liquor is strongly recommended but a couple dining together will delight in the amazing presentation of the Thai-Style Fried Snapper for two. Do not miss the coconut cake, unless you are allergic, in which case we feel very sorry for you.

2. Oporto Fooding House, 125 West Gray #500

Oporto Fooding House & Wine

Photo by Troy Fields

Oporto was the Houston Press “Best New Restaurant” choice for Best Of Houston 2015. It’s at the end of a somewhat triangular building in Midtown, so the front is narrower than the back, but they made the best out of an awkward design situation. It’s gorgeous inside—dark, sexy and classy. Owned by husband and wife team Rick Di Virgilio and chef Shiva Patel-Di Virgilio, Oporto is like an equivalent love match between their earlier endeavors — the original Oporto and Queen Vic Pub & Kitchen. Have a casual meal at the bar or bring friends and indulge in a multi-course dinner. The seafood-heavy menu includes croquetas de bacalhau (salted cod croquettes), polvo com batatas (charred octopus) and littleneck clams bathed in white wine sauce. There’s a wine list spanning the world from Portugal to Chile that makes it almost too easy to find a splendid pairing.

1. Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith

Hunter’s Duck at Brennan’s Of Houston

Photo by Phaedra Cook

Brennan’s of Houston opened in 1967 and to this day it is still considered a very special place to go to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. The business crowd loves the sumptuous Creole-inspired lunches and tiny dollar martinis at lunchtime and a visit doesn’t seem complete without a bowl of the famous Turtle Soup. The restaurant, which had to be rebuilt after a fire during Hurricane Ike, features several elegant private dining rooms perfect for any celebration. Chef Danny Trace doesn’t allow this old Houston classic to become staid, though, relying on a true farm-to-table program (as in, he actually sources directly from local farmers and ranchers) and international cuisines to inspire new seasonal dishes. The casual crowd delights in happy hour at the bar and on the patio with small bites and drink specials. Houston legends Carl Walker (former chef and now general manager) and longtime head bartender Richard Middleton are still responsible for steering the ship and teaching the young ones a thing or two.

Considering Houston’s close proximity to the Gulf, there’s no shortage of good seafood inside the city’s culinary scene. Gumbo is one of the most iconic seafood creole dishes you’ll find along the south coast. So we put together a list of some of Houston’s best takes on this seafood stew.

Brennan’s of Houston, the 1967 beloved Houston landmark, is famous for its Texas Creole-inspired menu with longtime favorites like shrimp étouffée and their legendary Bananas Foster. When it comes to gumbo, Louisiana transplant Chef Danny Trace puts a Texan twist on the dish with creations like tabasco smoked pheasant and sausage gumbo, hunter’s gumbo with duck, rabbit, venison, andouille, and creole seafood gumbo made with crab, shrimp, and oysters.

Featuring contemporary Gulf Coast regional cuisine, the Rainbow Lodge has received national acclaim for both its menu and wine cellar. Executive Chef Jimmy Mitchell’s duck and andouille gumbo is highly regarded among in the Houston culinary scene. Rainbow Lodge has also won Wine Spectator magazine’s “Award for Excellence” for 10 consecutive years.

Definitely the go-to spot for gumbo on Galveston Island, Gumbo Bar also serves up great salads, and po-boys. Made when you order, you know you are getting the freshest meal. Try the Mumbo Gumbo filled with shrimp, crab, oyster, chicken, sausage, and prime rib. Be sure you get some garlic bread for dipping. Not in the mood for gumbo? Ha-ha very funny, no one ever gets tired of gumbo!

Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar takes its gumbo very seriously. The oyster bar serves up its creole creation in a massive bowl topped with fried oysters and fried okra, unlike any other gumbo in town. To wash it down, grab one of over 20 local beers and an extensive cocktail menu. Liberty Kitchen sits in the heart of one of the most popular restaurant intersections in the Heights neighborhood of Houston.

Cousin Pappadeaux was an old Cajun relative of H.D. Pappas, a Greek immigrant who traveled to America in 1897 and opened numerous restaurants in Texas and beyond. A wise Cajun cook, Cousin Pappadeaux taught H.D. the magic and mystery of Cajun cooking. Today, Pappadeaux serves up the freshest seafood and Louisiana-style favorites like blackened opelousas filet, crawfish & shrimp fondeaux and their signature seafood gumbo.

This bustling seafood emporium is cleverly built into a novelty railroad car. The diverse menu of Texas Gulf Coast, Mexico, and Louisiana culinary influences appeals to the masses. Their gumbo is split into shrimp, crab, or both with a hefty portion of oysters. Also on the menu, expect accomplished frying (oyster po’boys, stuffed crab, shrimp) but equally fine mesquite grilling.

Texas flavor meets Lousiana creole at Gumbo Jeaux’s. The Cajun restaurant, which opened its first Houston location near IAH Airport in 2010, has developed a faithful following among north Houston residents. At Gumbo Jeaux’s guests can expect a range of wallet-friendly options in a laid-back, family-friendly space. The counter service restaurant tempts regulars with its catfish trout plate that comes topped in gumbo, crawfish tacos and crawfish etouffee, but there’s plenty for non-seafood lovers to choose from, too.

Directions:
1. Place 2 fried tomato slices on the plate.
2. Gently fold crabmeat with ravigote sauce.
3. Top each tomato with 2oz. of crabmeat mixture on each slice.
4. In a mixing bowl, splash baby arugula with sugar cane vinegar and season to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oil to 350 degrees.
2. Slice tomatoes into ” slices. Season tomatoes with salt and pepper.
3. Place flour in a mixing bowl. Set aside
4. Add buttermilk in a second mixing bowl.
5. In a third bowl add cornmeal.
6. Dredge tomato slices in flour, then submerge them one at a time completely into buttermilk.
7. Finally, dredge them into cornmeal and immediately fry 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Place on a wire rack or paper towels. Season generously on both sides with Creole seasoning.

Directions:
1. Broil or saut bacon on both sides until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Put 2 English muffin halves on each warmed plate and top with a slice of
Canadian bacon; put the egg over the bacon and cover with hollandaise.
3. Serve immediately.

Directions:
1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not let burn. When completely
melted, remove from heat and separate the oil form the milk solids.
2. Place pasteurized egg yolks and water in top of a double boiler over simmering water. The bottom of the upper pan should not touch the simmering water in the lower pan.
3. Whisk pasteurized yolks until mixture thickens and form sheen, and a temperature of 145F. In a slow steady stream, add butter, whisking constantly until all butter has been
added.
4. Add lemon juice, Tabasco and salt to season.
5. Keep sauce for no longer than 4 hours at a 140 F. Discard

Bearnaise
– 3 tbsp. White wine
– 2 tsp. Dried tarragon leaves

In a small saucepan heat white wine and tarragon until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and add to hollandaise sauce, mixing well.

Shortcakes
3. Combine flour, remaining cup sugar and baking powder in a large bowl.
4. Cut in shortening until mixture is crumbling.
5. Mix eggs, milk in a small bowl add to crumbly mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth.
6. Use a dessert spoon to spoon out 6 equal portions of dough onto an ungreased sheet pan.
7. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and done; test with a toothpick. Reserve, keeping warm.

Vanilla sweetened cream
8. Place the cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed or by hand until soft peak form, being careful not to over mix. Reserve in refrigerator until ready to use.

To Assemble
9. Slice shortcakes in half; place bottom half on each plate and top with strawberries and sauce. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream. Place top half shortcake over whipped cream; sift powder sugar over the top and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
10. Serve immediately.

Larissa and Rob both work in the field of media and are passionate about their jobs, which is how they met. Because of this they incorporated unique details into their special day that we know you’re going to love! Read on to hear more from Larissa about their wedding day, especially their full budget breakdown. For more details from this peach and blue wedding with cinematic flair check out the full gallery here, all beautifully captured by Duy Khang Photography.

From the Bride:We wanted our wedding to be low key, but elegant. I’m a big believer that weddings need to reflect the people throwing the party-because after all that’s all it is-a party to celebrate your marriage. Brennan’s was the perfect location for us because we could have a laid back ceremony in the courtyard, followed by an AWESOME meal (good food and lots of delicious drinks were a MUST for us).

We also wanted details that represented something important to us-our job. We met at work and are passionate about the media field. That’s why we added interesting surprises…everything from a youtube video save the date (which you can totally check out below), the applause signs and the countdown numbers during the ceremony, to the newspaper lined petals on our bouquets.

If I could do anything differently I would have done a first look. I know this is a controversial topic, but I really, really, really wanted to see my husband for the first time at the ceremony and that’s why we made the choice not to have a first look. But the truth is, seeing him earlier in the day would have eased a lot of my “nerves” (I was very nervous to be the center of attention).

It was nerve racking walking down the aisle and I think I would have been a little more “in the moment” if I had already had seen him. Obviously, it would also have also allowed us more time for pictures of he and I. We had an AMAZING photographer, but we had limited time in between the ceremony and reception for pics of us.

From Jennifer Laura Design:Larissa and Rob were dream clients. Giving me free reign to make decisions allowed me to go above and beyond our original concept and even whittle in a few surprises for Larissa. I took the news theme and ran with it – borrowing Larissa’s mother’s vintage typewriter, using typewriter key escort cards and corresponding table numbers, I wrapped books in old newsprint, and even used old newspapers to stack centerpieces on. It was a theme that didn’t hit you in the face, but was subtle, a little whimsical, and kept reminding guests of exactly where they were…at Larissa at Rob’s wedding!

Advice From the Bride:Sometimes newlyweds offer some wedding advice, so here goes:
1. Don’t play by rules. I didn’t stress out because my husband’s sister was in the grooms party, that my flower girls were full grown adults, I didn’t have a bouquet toss…etc. I figured no one else would care if I didn’t stress over the rules I wanted to break.

2. Enlist the help of a really good planner/coordinator. I know this seems like a no-brainer, but find someone who shares your style. My planner worried about all the details. I trusted her taste – and so I trusted her to make decisions on my behalf. It saved me a ton of stress.

Read on to see how much this peach and blue wedding cost. Please note that costs change as the years go by, and prices are subject to change. This is just one couple’s breakdown to give you a rough estimate on how much a wedding like this may cost you.

We went a little over our 25K budget. We only had 100 people which helped limit the costs but still have top shelf alcohol etc.

Crawfish Reigns Supreme on Brennan’s 7-7-7 Happy Hour Menu

Brennan’s of Houston may not come up in conversation as a go-to place for happy hour, but it should. During happy hour, which takes place in their Courtyard Bar, Brennan’s offers a 7-7-7 menu that includes seven cocktails, seven wines, and seven appetizers, all for just $7.

And the great thing about it? Unlike other restaurants where happy hour only happens during odd hours and only on weekdays, Brennan’s 7-7-7 is offered daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. — plenty of time for you to relax, unwind, and get happy.

The bar area is well appointed with attractive chairs

Three of my friends and I stopped in on a random Friday evening around 5 p.m., and were greeted enthusiastically when we arrived. Right inside the door, Brennan’s famous house-made butterscotch pralines were piled up on a plate to welcome us as well.

The bar area was lightly occupied at that time, so we got our pick of where to sit, choosing a four-top table by the window, where we started off with cocktails, including a Tom Collins, made of Segram’s gin, club soda, and fresh lemon and lime; a Deep Eddy Daly made of Deep Eddy Sweet Tea and lemonade; and a Smoky Mary, the Brennan’s version of bloody Mary made with smoked Poblano pepper infused Svedka vodka.

For food, we literally tried everything on the menu. I’m told the menu changes seasonally, but right now, all the happy hour offerings are crawfish themed, which means we had Crawfish Remoulade, BBQ Crawfish, Crawfish and Andouille Empanadas, Crawfish Boudin, Crawfish and Corn Fritters, Crawfish Enchilada, and Crawfish and Tasso Waffles.

Yep, that’s a waffle underneath all that crawfish

When they came out, the tapas-sized portions were all delicious, though some stood out more than others. My favorite out of all of them was the Crawfish enchilada, which I ordered a second order of because I didn’t feel like one shared bite was enough.

The Crawfish and Corn Fritters were fun and lighthearted, crispy fried balls pierced with skewers and served a dark piri piri sauce. My friends quite enjoyed the rich Crawfish and Tasso Waffles, which were full of flavor due to the sweet sugarcane smoked tasso. The Crawfish Boudin was also a hit, and went surprisingly well with the kimchi and crackers that it came with.

If you love boudin, you’ll love this crawfish and andoille version

We ordered a second round of drinks while feasting on the huge, well-priced spread, but saved room for dessert, which is one of those things you just have to save room for if you go to Brennan’s.

The chef decided to show us what their dessert was all about and brought out a sampling of some of their desserts: strawberry shortcake, pecan pie, two types of bread pudding, chocolate mousse cake, and key lime pie. My girlfriend’s eyes grew as big as saucers and she had to hold her hands underneath her legs while I took pictures. “Can I eat yet?” she asked impatiently before starting to do some heavy damage to the spread before us.

The dessert spread. Worth. Every. Calorie!

That was before a smiling server wheeled a cart over to our table and started preparing bananas foster table-side. The smell and the sizzle of the dessert was almost my undoing as we watched him perform an elaborate, fire-enhanced culinary mini-show . Talk about decadent. And mouthwatering. And absolutely positively unbelievably amazing!